Ferry accidents: Search resumed
2005-05-20 08:20
Dhaka - Rescuers searched choppy rivers on Friday for about 200 people missing after two major boat accidents in Bangladesh that left dozens dead, police and officials said.
The search was suspended late on Thursday because of high winds and darkness.
In southern Bhola district, a trawler with more than 100 people aboard sank in a storm on Thursday night, leaving at least 30 missing, said police officer Mozammel Hossain. No bodies were immediately recovered.
The wooden fishing boat went down in the mouth of the Meghna River 105km south of the capital, Dhaka. At least 70 people swam ashore or were rescued by passing boats, Hossain said. Fishing craft often carry passengers in the island-dotted area.
"The trawler got caught in a sudden gust of wind, and capsized," Hossain said.
Thursday's sinking was Bangladesh's third major maritime accident in a week.
In central Manikganj district, rescuers resumed their search Friday for about 170 people still missing and feared dead, two days after the overcrowded ferry ML Raipura capsized on Tuesday with 250 on board. At least 33 are confirmed dead.
The ML Raipura was lost in a storm on the Padma River in Manikganj, 40km northwest of Dhaka. Many bodies were thought to be trapped inside the sunken ferry.
"We will continue our efforts to lift the wreckage," said Mahbubur Rashid, a naval officer overseeing the rescue operation.
Rescuers plucked 31 bodies from the choppy river earlier Thursday, raising the death toll from the ML Raipura to 33, said police officer Abu Bakr Siddiqui. At least 50 people swam to shore.
There was scant hope of finding more survivors, but hundreds of people camped were camped near the accident site, waiting for word. Others scoured the river in hired fishing boats.
Sona Banu, 50, was looking for her 20-year-old daughter.
"My daughter was travelling by the ferry to her husband's home after visiting me. She told me she would see me again. I hope she comes back alive and keeps her promise," said Banu, tears rolling down her face. Banu's son-in-law survived.
On Sunday, another overcrowded ferry, carrying a wedding party, sank in a storm in southern Patuakhali district, killing at least 88 people.
- AP